María Ángeles Tormo

Quercus Suber L. Cork Extracts Induce Apoptosis in Human Myeloid Leukaemia HL-60 Cells.

Quercus suber L. cork contains a diversity of phenolic compounds, mostly low molecular weight phenols. A rising number of reports support with convergent findings that polyphenols evoke pro‐apoptotic events in cancerous cells. However, the literature related to the anti‐cancer bioactivity of Q. suber L. cork extractives (QSE) is still limited. Herein, we aim to describe the antitumor potential displayed by cork extractives obtained by different extraction methods in the human promyelocytic leukaemia cells. In order to quantify the effects of QSE on cancer cells viability, phosphatidylserine exposure, caspase‐3 activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle were evaluated. The results indicated that the QSE present a time‐dependent and dose‐dependent cytotoxicity in the human promyelocytic leukaemia cells. Such a noxious effect leads these leukaemia cells to their death through apoptotic processes by altering the mitochondrial outer membrane potential, activating caspase‐3 and externalizing phosphatidylserine. However, cells cycle progression was not affected by the treatments. This study contributes to open a new way to use this natural resource by exploiting its anti‐cancer properties. Moreover, it opens new possibilities of application of cork by‐products, being more efficient in the sector of cork‐based agriculture. Copyright

Prevalencia de obesidad y riesgo cardiovascular asociado en la población general de un área de salud de Extremadura. Estudio Hermex

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence of obesity and its associated cardiovascular risk in the general population of a health area in Extremadura. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study on a random population sample aged 25-79 years from the Don Benito-Villanueva (Badajoz) health area. Risk factors and cardiovascular disease were examined. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were collected, and a blood sample was taken. Obese subjects were categorized into different risk levels as proposed by the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity, and the influence of obesity on estimation of the risk of ischemic heart disease was studied using the Framingham function, as adapted for Spain. RESULTS A total of 2833 of the 3521 subjects screened (80.5%) participated in the study. Mean age was 51.2 years (SD 14.7), and 46.5% were males. Male subjects had a greater prevalence of overweight and obesity (46.2% and 37.7% respectively) as compared to females (37.7% and 32.6%) (p<0.005 and p<0.05 respectively). Only 10% of obese subjects had no increased cardiovascular risk. Obesity was associated to an 8-fold increase in the presence of a high risk for ischemic heart disease in females (p<0.001), as compared to a 1.4-fold increase in males (p=0.095). CONCLUSIONS Obesity is highly prevalent and affects, together with overweight, 74.1% of the population in an Extremadura health area. A vast majority of obese subjects have an increased cardiovascular risk, which is very marked for ischemic heart disease in females.

Etiologic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Children From Extremadura in Spain. Their Relationship With Insulin Resistance and Plasma Adipocytokine Levels

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The aim was to investigate etiologic and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children from Extremadura, Spain, and their relationship with insulin resistance and plasma adipocytokine levels. METHODS The study included 373 children (age, 3-13 years) who were randomly selected from schools in the city and province of Badajoz and from two health centers in the Spanish autonomous community of Extremadura. RESULTS Some 9.5% of children were obese. Compared with normal weight children, obese children exhibited a greater weight gain in the first year of life (7.3+/-1.5 kg vs. 6.3+/-0.8 kg), were less physically active (9.6+/-7.2 h/week vs. 13.1+/-8.1 h/week), and had more screen time (18.0+/-12.4 h/week vs. 12.8+/-8.2 h/week), a lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (46.0+/-11.4 mg/dL vs. 64.6+/-22.9 mg/dL), higher arterial systolic pressure (102.3+/-8.5 mmHg vs. 89.9+/-13.4 mmHg), increased insulin resistance (6.2+/-3.6 vs. 4.6+/-4.5), a higher level of leptinemia (24.8+/-13.8 ng/mL vs. 12.9+/-10.8 ng/mL) and a lower level of adiponectinemia (8.4+/-5.7 microg/mL vs. 15.6+/-7.9 microg/mL). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that there is a relationship between a sedentary lifestyle and the development of insulin resistance and altered adipocytokines levels in obese children, and that these changes are related to a number of cardiovascular risk factors.

Experimental Type 2 Diabetes Induces Enzymatic Changes in Isolated Rat Enterocytes

Diabetes in humans and in experimental animals produces changes in the function and structure of the small intestine. The authors determined the activity of intestinal disaccharidases (maltase and sucrase) and of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK-1) in enterocytes isolated from the small intestine of male Wistar rats (2.5 to 3 months old) with experimental nonobese type 2 diabetes, induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection on the day of birth (n0-STZ) or on the 5th day of life (n5-STZ), with different degrees of hyperglycemia and insulinemia (n0-STZ and n5-STZ models). The glycemia (mmol/L) of the diabetic rats (n0-STZ: 8.77 ± 0.47; n5-STZ: 20.83 ± 0.63) was higher (P < .01) than that of the nondiabetic (ND) rats (5.99 ± 0.63); on the contrary, the insulinemia (ng/mL) was significantly lower in both n0-STZ (1.74 ± 0.53; P < .05) and n5-STZ (1.12 ± 0.44; P < .01) diabetic rats than in normal rats (3.77 ± 0.22). The sucrase and maltase activities (U/g protein) in diabetic rats (n0-STZ: 89 ± 9 and 266 ± 12; n5-STZ: 142 ± 23 and 451 ± 57) were significantly higher than those in the ND group (66 ± 5 and 228 ± 22). The PFK-1 activities (mU/mg protein) in the diabetic models (n0-STZ: 14.89 ± 1.51; n5-STZ: 13.35 ± 3.12) were significantly lower (P < .05) than in ND rats (20.54 ± 2.83). The data demonstrated enzymatic alterations in enterocytes isolated fromthe small intestine of n0-STZ rats that are greater (P < .05) than in the more hyperglycemic and hypoinsulinemic n5-STZ animals. The results also show that nonobese type 2–like diabetes in the rat produces modifications that favor an increase in glucose absorption rates.

Effect of peas (Pisum sativum) in the treatment of experimental non-insulin-dependent diabetes

A study was made on the mechanism by which the consumption of peas affects beneficially the glycaemia in a rat model of non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes. With a standard diet, the diabetic rats showed elevated glycaemia throughout the study, varying between 8.3 and 10.0 mmol/L. With the administration of a diet of peas, the glycaemia in the diabetic rats declined significantly from the second day, and stayed at levels near normal for the rest of the study. A significant inhibitory activity of the pancreatic amylase enzyme was detected in the raw pea extract. A possible mechanism of the hypoglycaemic effect of a diet of peas might therefore reside partially in its inhibitory effect on carbohydrate digestion.

The mechanism of the antioxidant effect of smoked paprika from La Vera, Spain

This study aimed at further investigating the antioxidant effect of smoked paprika (Pimentón La Vera, Spain) in healthy subjects. Crossover study included male students (age 20.6 ± 1.7 years) who consumed smoked or non-smoked paprika (2 g/day, 20 times, over 30 days). After ingestion of smoked paprika, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced versus basal and non-smoked paprika ingestion values. Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were increased and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) levels reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in paired subjects after consumption of smoked paprika. Smoked paprika significantly increased mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase and cytochrome c oxydase versus non-smoked paprika ingestion. The low dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in the smoked paprika could cause an activation of antioxidant defences as increasing activity of the GSH cycle and activating some antioxidant enzyme such as glutathione peroxidase and cytochrome c oxidase.

Efecto antioxidante e hipolipemiante del pimentón ahumado en individuos sanos Antioxidant and hypolipidaemic effect of smoked paprika in healthy subjects

The healthy properties and antioxidant activity of smoked paprika in healthy male non-smoking students (age 20.6 ± 1.7 years), from Universidad de Extremadura (Spain), who consumed (2 g/day, 20 times, over 30 days) smoked (La Vera, Extremadura, Spain) or non-smoked (Novelda, Alicante, Spain) paprika were investigated. Anthropometric and cardiovascular measurements and blood and urine samples were taken from overnight fasted subjects for biochemical, hematological, and immunological measurements. The ingestion of smoked paprika increased the urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (from 38.6 ± 24.9 to 109.2 ± 85.6 nmol/mol; p < 0.05). Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after the consumption of either smoked or non-smoked paprika. Plasma lipoperoxidation levels measured both as thiobarbituric acid (3.1 ± 0.5 versus 2.7 ± 0.5 μmol/L; p < 0.05) and as malonaldehyde (0.9 ± 0.4 versus 0.6 ± 0.3 μmol/L; p < 0.01) were reduced after consuming smoked paprika. Plasma levels of carotenoids, lycopenes, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium were similar after the ingestion of smoked or non-smoked paprika. The smoked paprika from La Vera seems to produce an antioxidant effect by enhancing the activity of the endogenous antioxidant defenses.

Transplantation of Syngenic Pancreatic Islets into Rats with Streptozotocin Induced Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

An important concept in understanding the pathogenesis of Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) has recently emerged: the concept that hyperglycemia is not only the principal metabolic derangement of diabetes but also a pathogenetic factor in its own right. Once it develops, either from insulin deficiency or from insulin resistance, hyperglycemia will exacerbate both defects, thereby closing a pathologic feedback loop1. Recognition of the important pathogenetic role of hyperglycemia per se in the evolution of NIDDM has important therapeutic implication. First normalization of the plasma glucose profile, should lead to an impairment in insulin secretion in NIDDM subjects. In fact significant improvements in insulin secretion and insulin action have been demonstrated after weight loss, sulfonylurea administration or insulin therapy, each of these therapeutic interventions leading to an improvement of glycemic control2.